Texas Basketball: Way-too-early projection of starting 5 for next season
Shooting Guard: Marcus Carr
Finishing second on the team in scoring last season, it’s big for Beard and the Longhorns to get the former Pitt Panthers and Minnesota Golden Gophers super senior guard Marcus Carr back for one more run. Carr certainly had his ups and downs for the Longhorns last season, but he was productive for this backcourt unit. He also had a solid run in the two NCAA Tournament games Texas played to cap last season.
I do want to mention here that it could either be Morris or Carr switching between the one or the two early next season. Who starts at the one through the majority of the 2022-23 season will hinge on which of these two guards shows more capability to facilitate this offense early on.
Backup: Jabari Rice
Small Forward: Dillon Mitchell
Morris and the fellow former five-star recruit/Montverde Academy small forward Dillon Mitchell is definitely going to be one of the focal points for the Longhorns’ starting unit heading into next season. That is as long as Beard and his staff don’t add another highly-impactful wing out of the transfer portal at some point later this offseason.
Yet, even if the Longhorns add another wing by way of the portal heading into the summer months, it looks like Mitchell will still be the favorite to start at the three. He could also play at the four for the Longhorns if that’s where the coaching staff feels his game translates best.
The 6-foot-7 and 200-pound Mitchell is a gifted athlete with insane length and physical tools. His length and athleticism allow him to rise above opposing defenders when pulling up from the midrange. Or, he can use his quick first step and vertical ability to finish with some force at the rim.
One aspect of Mitchell’s game to watch early next season will be his outside shooting. That is the main area of progression that Mitchell needs to make this coming season.